#BlackGirlMagic remains in full effect! In case you haven’t heard, the Nigerian doll brand Queens of Africa is coming to the United States! Founded by Taofick Okoya in 2007, the doll range depicts the various African ethnicities, skin tones, and even the different African hairstyles that make the motherland as vast and as rich as it is.
With the motto as “Empowering the African girl child”, the mission of Queens of Africa and Okoya is to promote and foster positive self-esteem in young black girls, who can invariably see themselves represented through these dolls. This summer, Okoya and his dolls are going on ‘tour’, jetsetting to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Houston to meet American supporters and expand the promotion of the brand and what it stands for.
Taofick talk the talk, and also walks the walk. Not only does he work to create a brand that empowers young women through the dolls, but Taofick also empowers stay-at-home moms, employing them with jobs such as braiding the dolls’ hair and creating the outfits that they wear.
Regarding the appearance of the dolls, he shared with Forbes, “We’ve made the lips fuller, and the nose rounder. We also offer different hair textures, ranging from wavy to short and curly, as well as coarse hair. We’ve given the body a bit more curves, and we’re planning on doing a fuller butt in the near future. It’s a way of showing also that “African” isn’t just one look. We celebrate both skinny and curvaceous women.”
Although the doll culture is still something considered to be for the privileged and upper-class in various parts of Nigeria, Okoya has continued to remain steadfast and tenacious, this time setting his views on the American market. “The US market is structured in a more efficient manner, which allows us to reach more people. In Nigeria, apart from the more high-brow stores such as Shoprite and The Game Store, it’s difficult to be present across multiple stores across several states. The US has that distribution network however, and that network is power.”
Whatever the American consensus, we at FashionBombDaily ALWAYS love 1) supporting Black owned businesses, and 2) supporting things that empower the self-love of Black girls out there. Nonetheless, I know for a fact I will be snagging a doll when he makes his pitstop in D.C.! If you just can’t wait, you can also check out his dolls here!
What about you? Would you buy one of these dolls?